Hegseth says U.S. brought 'Epic Fury' to Iran
The defense secretary says theocratic regimes should never hold nuclear weapons, and that Trump shares that view
Published
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States brought exactly what its name describes to the Iranians: Epic Fury. He said theocratic regimes should never have access to nuclear weapons, and that President Trump recognizes this.
The comment lands in a week with no sign of an active diplomatic track. Iran's government spokesman Baqaei has said any response to U.S. proposals will go through intermediaries. Two administration officials have said Pentagon strike options are being framed around the midterm election calendar rather than diplomacy. The Atlantic has reported that the White House asked the Pentagon for options on possible strikes on Iran, with size and targets still undetermined.
Iran has kept up its own warnings. Iranian officials have said the country will soon block illegal routes through the Strait of Hormuz and that it can raise its missile range as needed. An adviser to the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has repeated the pledge to target illegal traffic in the strait. Iran's army has said it is ready to strike first if threatened, and President Pezeshkian has called the standoff an 'all-out war,' vowing to 'resist.' Secretary of State Rubio has repeated that Iran must not be allowed a nuclear program, without setting out a new timeline or enforcement mechanism.
Hegseth's choice to name the operation and link it directly to Trump's resolve reads as a sign the administration is framing recent action as decisive rather than as leverage for talks, in keeping with Trump's own language about having 'finished off' Iran's nuclear capabilities. Nothing in his remarks points to new movement on talks, sanctions, or access through Hormuz, leaving the standoff anchored on the confrontation side for now.